Tasmania's Premier Peter Gutwein yesterday announced his resignation, sending shockwaves through the political landscape and sparking speculation over his successor.
The ABC understands Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff is "very keen" for the top job and is likely to have the support of the party room, but we have yet to hear publicly from any potential candidate.
Mr Gutwein said the Liberal Party would elect his replacement later this week.
So what is the process of electing a new premier? How long will it take? And, what does it mean for parliament?
Why did Gutwein resign?
Mr Gutwein's announcement came as a shock to many.
He said he was quitting politics to spend time with his family and because he feared he could no longer give "110 per cent" to the role.
"What I've found after the last two years especially is I have nothing left in the tank to give," Mr Gutwein said.
He also said managing the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years had been draining, and that the demands of the job had significantly restricted his time with his family over summer.
So what happens now?
The Liberal Party will pick a new premier in a meeting of the party room.
When Will Hodgman resigned, both Mr Gutwein and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson announced an intention to run for the leadership — but Mr Ferguson pulled out before a ballot was held.
This time around, Liberal sources say Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff is "very keen" to become Premier and likely has the support of the party room.
If no-one else puts their hand up then Mr Rockliff will be confirmed as leader during a party room meeting.
If others put their hat into the ring and force a vote, there will be a competitive ballot during the meeting.
Including Mr Gutwein, there are 17 Liberal MPs across the lower and upper houses of parliament, with the winner needing to secure the majority of votes.
Whoever is elected will have time to settle in — Parliament has been dissolved, or prorogued, as it's known, until after Easter.
When will the party room meet?
We don’t yet know exactly when the party room meets or if a ballot will need to be held, but Mr Gutwein said a decision on his replacement would be made "by the end of the week".
Who will it be?
The electorally popular Deputy Premier, who hails from the state's north-west, would be a safe pick for the top job.
Liberal sources have told the ABC that Jeremy Rockliff is "very keen" to take on the role.
Mr Rockliff is thought to have the support of his partyroom and could avoid a messy leadership ballot if all Liberal MPs fall in behind him.
A moderate, he will be the last of the Liberal trio of himself, former premier Will Hodgman and Mr Gutwein elected in 2002 still in Parliament.
Michael Ferguson, a conservative, would likely be the main competition if he decided to put up his hand for the job.
He was Mr Gutwein's rival in the leadership race last time.
The ABC understands Attorney-General Elise Archer will put up her hand to be deputy premier, regardless of who takes the top job.
Ms Archer's electorate takes in Hobart and she would represent a southern voice in the leadership, with Mr Rockliff and Mr Ferguson both hailing from the north.
What happens in Bass?
Mr Gutwein’s replacement in Bass will be elected on a countback.
There are two possible contenders: former Launceston City councillor Simon Wood and current George Town mayor Greg Kieser.
Mr Wood is more likely to win the seat.
What does this mean for parliament?
State parliament is meant to return next week, but Mr Gutwein will ask Governor Barbara Baker to prorogue parliament until after Easter.
Proroguing wipes clean the Notice Paper, which means proposed legislation is removed, and dissolves session-specific committees until the return of parliament.
Proroguing parliament to allow for party business is unusual but not unprecedented.
When former Lyons MP Rene Hidding resigned in 2019, parliament was prorogued until his replacement – John Tucker – was found.
If Ms Baker does not prorogue parliament, the Liberals will not have majority on the floor of the lower house.
